Odita Sunday 
FCT Police Smash Kidnap, ‘One Chance’ Gangs, Rescue Victim, Recover AK-47, Drugs
By Odita Sunday
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its fight against violent crime, arresting suspected kidnappers’ logistics supplier, “one chance” operators, armed robbery suspects and car thieves, while rescuing an abducted woman without the payment of ransom.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, disclosed the successes during a press briefing on Monday at the Command Headquarters in Abuja, attributing the achievements to intelligence-led policing and support from residents.
Sanusi said operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested Umaru Danda, a native of Zamfara State, in Gadabiu village, Niger State, on July 10, following investigations into the July 8 abduction at Yellow House in Mpape.
According to him, investigations identified the suspect as a major supplier of hard drugs, logistics and other items used by the kidnappers.
The suspect reportedly led detectives to three hideouts in Niger State where officers recovered an AK-47 rifle, 55 cards of tramadol, wraps of suspected cocaine, cannabis pills, dried cannabis, Embazol tablets, two black bags containing suspected cannabis, a digital scale, two AirPods, two ATM cards, bags and N250,000 cash.
The police commissioner said the suspect would be arraigned after investigations.
In another operation, Sanusi said police rescued a woman abducted from Karshi on July 12 after suspected kidnappers fired sporadically before whisking her away.
He said the Anti-Kidnapping Unit immediately launched a rescue mission into the Waru Hills and surrounding forests linking the FCT and Nasarawa State.
The victim was rescued unharmed in the early hours of July 16 without any ransom payment.
Items recovered during the operation included a Makarov pistol, a dagger, military camouflage and assorted charms.
The commissioner also announced the arrest of four suspected vehicle thieves who allegedly specialised in robbing Bolt and Uber drivers.
The suspects, identified as Ibrahim Ismail, Ahmad Umar, Riskwa Shehu and Umar Abubakar, were arrested on July 7 by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following credible intelligence.
Police investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly booked ride-hailing vehicles as passengers before attacking drivers and making away with their vehicles and valuables.
Recovered from them were an ash-coloured Toyota RAV4 with registration number YAB 240 DL and a grey Honda Civic with registration number ABC 72 JP.
Sanusi further disclosed that VCRU operatives arrested three suspected “one chance” robbers and kidnappers after a hot chase along the Life Camp-Gwarinpa Underpass on July 14.
The suspects were identified as Orji Chibueze, 35; Chibuike Odo, 33; and Chibuikem Stanley, 36.
A search of their vehicle yielded a wig, screwdriver, scissors, knife, suspected cannabis popularly known as “colos”, three mobile phones, a cap and a rope.
The suspects remain in police custody pending prosecution.
The police commissioner also narrated how officers attached to Nyanya Division foiled an armed robbery operation in Area A, Nyanya, following a distress call received at about 4:50 a.m. on July 19.
According to him, the suspects had dug through the perimeter fence of a shop to gain access to the victim’s residence.
He said the robbers opened fire on responding officers, who returned fire, injuring two suspects as the gang fled.
The victim, identified simply as Mr. Linus, was rescued and taken to hospital.
Investigators later followed bloodstains to arrest Abdulraman Ismail, 20, while a search recovered bloodstained clothes, a toy gun, a digger, two machetes, a military belt, a bag containing identity cards, a counterfeit N1,000 note, jewellery, a torchlight, assorted charms and an MTN SIM card.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Jamilu Yahaya, 25, who allegedly took police to Junaidu Usman, 30, a chemist said to have treated one of the fleeing suspects identified as Danlami Abubakar, who remains at large.
Sanusi also revealed that the Command recovered five stolen vehicles in separate operations across different parts of the country.
He said while some of the vehicles had been returned to their rightful owners, others were yet to be claimed.
The commissioner commended residents for providing timely information that aided the operations and urged them to sustain the partnership with the police.
”The fight against crime cannot be won by one side alone. Security remains a collective responsibility, and together, we can build a safer and more secure Federal Capital Territory,” he said.
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